[manasecret]

If that truly was the reasoning (I haven't read or heard or anything from someone official that confirms it, is all I'm saying) it was a dumb and misguided decision. I think you can promote the environmental benefits of high mileage cars without making the old cars undriveable.

First, this is not the way to fight climate change, if that was their intention. And secondly, just the fact that you will get a bunch of people who now have high mileage cars and can see firsthand the benefit of the money being saved, I think very few will go back and demand lower mileage cars in the future. Basically, you get the same benefit without destroying cars.

Finally, I want to be fair and point out that much of the car can still be sold for parts, with some minor and major exceptions (I can't remember what off the top of my head). So, economically, I think they were able to recoup some costs and at least not all old parts businesses and mechanics were fucked over by the program.

EDIT: And to comment specifically on your numbers, that does surprise me that Chrysler and GM would still see sliding sales. I guess no one has any trust in them at this point, though maybe a big part of it is that there are few cars to choose from their lineups that meet the program's rules?